Past Charities

​Charity for 2016/17 - The Fountain Centre

The Fountain Centre is a charity for cancer patients, their families and carers located in the St Luke’s cancer unit at the Royal Surrey County Hospital, Guildford. They offer advice, counselling and a huge range of complementary therapies, in a calming and relaxed atmosphere.

The Fountain Centre is a charity for cancer patients, their families and carers located in the St Luke’s cancer unit at the Royal Surrey County Hospital, Guildford. They offer advice, counselling and a huge range of complementary therapies, in a calming and relaxed atmosphere.

﻿The Fountain Centre is an independent charity. They rely on the generosity of their volunteers and donors and those who support their fundraising events to keep going – which costs over £200,000 every year. You can also help by volunteering, giving a donation, organising or coming to an event or leaving a legacy. Visit their website for more information.

​Charity for 2015/16 - Dementia UK

Dementia is a cruel disease that is devastating for families; as over a million people will be diagnosed with the condition by 2025 most of us will know someone affected by it, or have it touch our own family. But it can be very difficult to get the help and support needed. Dementia UK is a national charity that aims to support those affected by dementia through the provision of Admiral Nurses:

Admiral Nurses are specialist dementia nurses who give much-needed practical and emotional support to family carers, as well as the person with dementia. They offer support to families throughout their experience of dementia that is tailored to their individual needs and challenges. They provide families with the knowledge to understand the condition and its effects, the skills and tools to improve communication, and provide emotional and psychological support to help family carers carry on caring for their family member.

They also run a national helpline and email service Admiral Nursing DIRECT, which is for family and professional carers, people with dementia and those worried about their memory. Call 0845 257 9406 or email direct@dementiauk.org.

Charity for 2014/15

Our chosen charity for 2014/15 is also locally based, Yateley Red Cross. It is part of the Hampshire branch of The British Red Cross Society. It runs a First Aid Group, has medical equipment loan facilities, provides first aid cover for public events and trains members of the public in first aid. VGQ have decided to support the medical loans facility with moneys raised this year. As they say on the Yateley Red Cross website: ​

Having the right equipment makes a lot of difference in everything we do. It's especially true if someone is ill or disabled - even temporarily. Unfortunately, in these circumstances, the right equipment is often too expensive to buy, particularly if it's needed for only a short time. Such a loan can make the difference between staying in hospital or being able to go home on time; ease people back into their own homes after illness or surgery; enable them to go on holiday with friends or family; or care for themselves. Someone with a longer term disability may need help temporarily while waiting for assessment and permanent supply.Our Medical Equipment Loan Service can provide a variety of equipment, the main types being: wheelchairs; backrests; bath seats; commodes, bedpans, and urinals; walking sticks and frames.

﻿Charity for 2012/14

Our chosen charity for 2012/14 is a locally based one, The Brain Tumour Charity (formerly known as Samantha Dickson Brain Tumour Trust).

The Brain Tumour Charity is the UK’s largest brain tumour charity, raising vital funds for research, info & support and earlier diagnosis, and raising awareness of this devastating disease.

Founded in Yateley, this charity is the ' largest dedicated funder of brain tumour research in the UK, spending around £1 million per year funding top quality scientific and clinical research into childhood and adult brain tumours'.

They also run a support service for anyone living with, or affected by, brain tumours. Their national hotline is 0808 800 0004 and web site is www.thebraintumourcharity.org.

2011/12 - Mind

As dedicated members of a specialist textile group, Village Green Quilters were unsurprised by the findings of a research project carried out in Glasgow and reported in The Quilter this summer. The conclusion was that quilting as a hobby possesses a unique combination of qualities that contribute to a person's wellbeing.

Many quilters describe their hobby as a way of managing stress, depression and other problems.

Quilting has always had an especially altruisitic aspect. We make quilts to give away, often after coming together as a group specifically to work on a piece for charity. When considering which charity to support in 2011/12, the committee felt that, as quilting has been shown to contribute so greatly to mental wellbeing, what better subject for our efforts than a mental health charity?

Whilst mental illness still carries a stigma that prevents open discussion, there is an awareness within our group of such problems as depression, stress, mental breakdown and other forms of this type of illness affecting either members or their relatives. Because of the diversity of problems and sources of help, the committee decided to support the national charity Mind, rather than any specific smaller, local mental health group.

One in four people are likely to experience a mental health problem every year. Mind campaigns to create a society that promotes and protects good mental health for all. Mind is involved in specialised community care in a local setting, but also offers national training and consultancy schemes. Many small local groups receive direct input or support from Mind. The breadth of work done by the charity is all-encompassing.

For more information, details of how Mind operates, or for help, please use this link:www.mind.org.ukor Email info@mind.org.uk or telephone 0300 123 3393

Update July 2012

Our efforts have raised £250 over the year, so a cheque for this amount has been delivered to the Mind organisation.

2010/11 - Stepping Stones

Down Syndrome is not hereditary. It is caused by the presence of an extra chromosome, as yet no-one knows why. The only definite link is the increased risk with maternal age, but babies with Down Syndrome are born to those under 35 too. There are 3 types; most have Trisomy 21, where the extra chromosome is present in all cells,

1 in 1000 babies will have Down Syndrome, which means approximately 600 babies are born with the condition every year.

40-50% of babies with Down Syndrome are born with heart problems and half of those will need surgery.

A significant number will have hearing and sight problems.

Most will have a thyroid disorder, poor immune system, respiratory problems and an obstructed gastrointestinal tract.

Early intervention is crucial in helping children develop to their full potential and achieve more than many would believe possible.

Stepping Stones was set up in 2006 by two mums of children with Down Syndrome, Emma and Sharon, and they are based in Hartley Wintney. They set the group up because they had found there was very little support locally. The group aims to provide support, a place to share experiences, and organise family outings and events. In addition the group runs a library for toys, equipment and books and professional services such as speech therapy, and runs training sessions for parents/carers and linked professionals.They also ensure parents and carers are made aware of other support available to them and help them every step of the way, including help with filling out forms. It is estimated that it costs an extra £7000 a year to raise a disabled child, so this source of information is often invaluable to families. Cherie, Pacey's mum, says, "I don't think we as a family would be as happy or content without Stepping Stones. In the first six weeks after Pacey was born, I didn't want to speak to anyone, but Emma from Stepping Stones phoned regularly to offer support and also encourage me to come along to their monthly meetings. I did and I am so glad I did. The support has been invaluable to me, with sharing experiences, feelings, and swapping tips and advice. It has also been fantastic for my husband. He has had a chance to speak with the other dads and I know this has helped him tremendously. The practical help has also been fantastic - just the paperwork alone is baffling and to have people who have done it all before has been so helpful."

Update - September 2011

At our summer party in July, we presented Cherie and Sarah from Stepping Stones with a cheque for £260, which they said will be put towards paying for the Speech and Language Therapy the children receive.

2009/10 - Yateley Industries, Revive'n'Thrive and Ticehurst House

In 2009 the membership chose three local charities to support. Read more here.